It's Where I Keep My StuffEarth Day is my favorite holiday. Would you call it a holiday? I would. It’s a day to stop your normal routine and consider our environment. We have President’s Day and MLK day and Valentine’s Day for goodness sakes. The earth contributes LIFE to us all. I mean, that sounds ridiculous because it is so simple. But true. Even though Earth Day has been around since 1970 and has over a billion observers, it’s still warming up as a true event.

My dream?

EVERYONE go out on Earth Day and pick up all that litter that’s everywhere. EVERYONE turn off the screens and lights in the evening and do something green. It turns out that’s more fun anyway.

People are in different stages of their acceptance that the earth is not an infinite resource. We use it up and then…what. Some people are ready for a switch to reusable bags on Earth Day. Some people might be ready to try to produce half as much trash. Or plant a garden. Or stop using certain toxic chemicals on the lawn or in the house. Some people might be ready to learn more about fracking. Stop buying balloons. Start shutting off the tap while brushing.

Wherever you are at in your journey to becoming your best self, take a minute today and make sure you have an Earth to live that best life on. And air to breathe. And water that won’t poison you. And food that won’t make you sick. And, and, and, I’d finish this but I need to go out in the fresh air and celebrate my favorite holiday.

TaxingWhat do you find taxing?Here’s my short list:Long linesGreed/War People talking on the phone while I stand thereLitterInsecurityPhones in general- hate ‘emConfiguring and installing updatesThe monotony of shavingFees I don’t understand but still have to payShwew, that felt good. Itemizing is fun. Go ahead -you know you want to- make your own list. I recommend it. Don't forget to make the proper deductions. Tariff-ically yours, ~gregorific

“It's income tax time again, Americans: time to gather up those receipts, get out those tax forms, sharpen up that pencil, and stab yourself in the aorta.” ~Dave Barry

If only it were a game and you could triple score! Wait a minute...is it?

You know what’s neat? Getting to go into the classrooms and see what kids do all day. Being a mom is a great ticket to get in there and see what’s up. If you’re not a mom, it may look suspicious, but you’re missing out. It’s too simple to say things have changed. Their school day is harder than all the previous paying jobs I’ve had. They have very little free time. Like, time that is not directed or accounted for by a teacher or project or book or song or something. I’m exhausted by the time I come home. They are being well trained to go out there in the world and work hard. Let’s hope it’s working to make it a better place.

One thing I love about my daughter’s class is the flexibility with which they are taught. Perhaps one student was struggling to contain nervous/hyperactive/inattentive energy. Research was done, thoughts discussed, and boom, several students got to test run a new idea. The idea was to sit on those big exercise balls while they do desk work. Awesome, right? You have to use every muscle in your body to balance on those and then focus on an assignment. In some way it does not make it harder for the students. It makes it easier. Maybe kids are more connected to their mind/body balance. They like to keep both engaged for optimal concentration.

The test run became a classroom standard. A kind soul found enough balls for them all to sit on. So now they not only get to build their minds and ability to focus, they are strengthening their core. I mean that both literally and figuratively. When you take a child’s whole being into account, you know how to best teach them. It’s a relief and an inspiration to know this is happening in our schools. My daughter is very lucky. She knows what a good teacher is like and how to adjust to changing circumstances. After that first day of sitting on the bouncy ball instead of a chair, she came home and said, “It went great- I only fell off three times.”